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Hazard: Why leave Chelsea?

The Belgium midfielder swept the board in the end-of-season awards after starring in Chelsea’s first Premier League title success since he joined from Lille in 2012.

Hazard’s arrival was announced shortly after Roberto Di Matteo had led the club to a first Champions League, and the double footballer of the year is desperate to match that achievement to be considered among the world’s greats.

The good news for Chelsea supporters is he wants to fulfil that aim at Stamford Bridge and is happy to stay beyond the end of his current contract, which runs until 2020.

“Why change? If you’re happy and things are going really well at one place, there is no need to change,” Hazard told the London Evening Standard.

“Obviously, these things don’t just depend on me but whenever you’re enjoying your football and having the chance to win trophies, it would be silly to change.”

“The Champions League is the one thing missing from my career. When I look at the history of the competition and the people that have taken part, the top, top players have all won it. For many it is why they have been regarded as top players.

“So if I want to be considered in that upper, upper level of top players I need to win the Champions League at some point. Obviously it is not easy, it is a tough tournament to go all the way to win. But it is something as a club I think we can do and we have to always dream of.

“I have imagined that feeling of what it would be like to lift the trophy. Let’s hope we get a chance to do it.”

Hazard, who was fouled more than any other Premier League player this season, also reassured Chelsea supporters he would not be booted out of English football.

“Over here people like a scrap, like a battle,” Hazard added. “I will just keep playing the way I do. I will try and entertain the fans, create assists, score goals and concentrate on that regardless. I can still take the hits, it’s not a problem for me. I accept the blows. I can take the punches like a boxer.”

Watch this season’s Champions League final between Juventus and Barcelona live on Sky Sports on June 6.